To shoot or not to shoot, that is the question.

My plan with this piece was simple - to give five or six quick pointers to think about when you are trying to shoot the food you’ve just ordered in a restaurant.

My plan had been to use a lunch I had booked with a friend to illustrate each point.

My plan had been to take the shots then write this piece on the train on the way home.

I have not stuck to the plan.

The truth is, I just wanted to enjoy my lunch and catch up with my friend. In my heart of hearts I’m not convinced that anyone should whip out their phone when eating out and start taking shots of the food.

I totally understand the temptation and the desire to do so when a gorgeous plate of food appears in front of you. It feels like the perfect opportunity to grab some lovely shots to show to friends, to use on Instagram, to remind you of the lunch. But I’m on a (potentially one woman) crusade to bring back the concept of going to a restaurant and simply eating…

Here is why I don’t shoot my food when I’m out for a social catch up.

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1. Food Photographs need ‘good’ light. They need to be taken without overhead bulbs casting a yellow glow. and harsh shadow. Restaurants tend to have their lighting low for ambience, and this is rarely a good situation for taking anything close to a decent food shot. I know some people use a ring light on the front of their phone to combat this, but apart from the fact this is kinda grim for other diners, front lit food will always look a bit flat.

2. Going to a restaurant is a treat. I love the smells, the anticipation, the company, and stepping out of the hustle of real life for a moment to really enjoy a few hours of genuine connection. As soon as you lean in with a screen, that magic is broken, and its all about “showing” you have been somewhere, rather than enjoying being there.

3. Of course there are times when you have gone somewhere purely to practise your photography. You want to capture a market, a street food stall, your basket of goodies, the atmosphere of a town and the essence of your experience. That’s a really interesting way to spend a day, and I really ¹recommend it. BUT in everyday life, the expectation of creating content everywhere you go is exhausting. If I want to shout about a restaurant I generally take a quick shot of the exterior or a glimpse of a detail of the interior before I sit down. That way if I have loved the food, I have a shot to use alongside a gushing post to spread the word.

4. Chefs and waiting staff knock themselves out getting the food to your table while it’s hot and at it’s peak. So much effort goes into you receiving your plate of food in the best possible state. Don’t let it go cold faffing about with a shot that is rarely going to do that food justice.

5. My feeling is that most restauranteurs want to control the images of the food being served in their restaurants and not see them out there looking murky. If I have been booked to go and shoot a menu I seek out the best natural light, use a sea of reflectors and occasionally strobe lights, and ask the kitchen to allow approx 20 mins per dish to get the shot. The menu shoot will take the best part of a full day. There is no way of replicating that kind of shot without your food going cold and your mate/date getting seriously eye-roll-ey

Yeah Yeah Yeah, but give me some tips

OK. It was good to get that off my chest. But I get it, there are times that you do want to capture the food in a restaurant - maybe it’s a new opening and you want to support it. Maybe you want to make your Instagram feed really stand out as the place to consult for great new restaurant tips. Or maybe for the sheer joy of practising on really beautifully plated restaurant food rather than always be practising on the dinner you’ve made at home.

In that case I would say:

1. Go alone. Or at least with a friend who is there for the same reason. That way you have the freedom to take your time, and get a shot that, if you follow the next few tips, may well be worth sharing.

2. Go at lunchtime, and ask to sit near a window. Light is key to getting the food looking its best.

3. Go early. As soon as they start serving food, before the restaurant is busy and the staff are flat out. That way it will be less awkward if you want to ask if you can shoot at the pass, or stand up to take an overhead shot of your plate.

4. When you make the booking, tell them why you are coming to eat there. Good coverage can be great for their PR, so they will hopefully give you a good spot to take the shots. Approaching it as a pro rather than trying to shoehorn it into a sociable occasion is always going to give you better results.

5. Take shots of the details in the room - a restaurant is so much more than just its food. The look of a place can be just as much part of the experience, so include that in your set of shots.

6. And for the love of god don’t stand on the chairs …

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I hope this has been useful, and do message me with any questions, I’m always happy to help.

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Thanks for reading, I very much appreciate your support, liking and sharing the content from my Substack really makes a difference and will help me to keep writing!

1. If the idea of photographing food markets, wine makers, and hanging out with a bunch of like minded friends who all want to take photos of the Food they have made is appealing, then I have some very good news for you!

I’m taking a trip to France next year, with the very talented food writer, cook and Veg grower Kathy Slack for a 4-night food and photography break and excitingly you are all invited!